PASSENGERS in west Cumbria were left missing doctors' appointments and running late for work due to bus cancellations they say are becoming a 'regular occurrence'.

On Monday, May 22 passengers were left waiting at the Workington Bus Station after the Stagecoach X5 service was cancelled at 8.15am.

Bron Stringer and her daughter Beth Todd were left worrying that they would miss Beth's six week post-natal doctor's appointment, after the bus was cancelled.

Bron said: "We came for the quarter past eight bus to go to Keswick. We are going to Keswick at this time of day because Beth has a post-natal check-up at 9.30am at Keswick... we couldn't get the earlier bus because she lives at Whitehaven, so she got the earliest bus she could to meet the X5.

"We have stood there and waited, and the bus was cancelled, but the bus just stood there."

Beth added: "It happens everyday, this is happening on a regular basis." 

Another traveller left worrying about the service was Emma, who was travelling from her home in Workington to Cockermouth for work. It was the second time in the week Emma had been late for work due to buses being cancelled.

She said: "Bus services in west Cumbria are ridiculous. They are either cancelled or just don't turn up.

"Drivers and inspectors walk past you and can't tell you the bus is cancelled... people can't get to work, school or appointments on time.

"Twice this week I have been late for work due to lack of service, but this is a regular occurrence."

Tom Waterhouse, managing director, Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire said: "Our teams continue to work hard to ensure that the vast majority of local buses continue to run as normal.   

“As of this week, we are currently providing 98 per cent of all our services without disruption, however I am really sorry to hear about the customers' experience with the X5 service this morning (May 22).  

“The 8.15am X5 service did not operate due to a short notice driver issue. For this, I offer my sincere apologies. 

“We appreciate that delays and cancellations are extremely frustrating to our customers, and I would like to thank them for their patience and understanding during these times.

“There are a variety of ways for customers to find out about the latest service updates, including our Stagecoach Bus App. Passengers can download the Stagecoach Bus App which we update throughout the day.

“Once again, I offer my sincere apologies to those passengers who had an extended wait for the X5 bus to arrive this morning”.